Anutin Charnvirakul Sworn in as Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prioritizes Energy Cost Reduction

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul was officially sworn in as Thailand’s 32nd prime minister , with a strong parliamentary majority and royal endorsement. In his inaugural address, Anutin identified lowering household energy expenses as a key policy priority for his administration.

Ahead of the ceremony, Anutin announced his first cabinet lineup, appointing former PTT CEO Auttapol Rerkpiboon as the new energy minister. Anutin expressed confidence that Auttapol’s extensive experience would support the country’s efforts to accelerate its energy transition.

New Leadership After Cabinet Dismissal

Anutin succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed from office after less than a year. The Constitutional Court found Paetongtarn guilty of ethical violations related to a phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which she was deemed to have prioritized personal interests over national concerns. This ruling led to the dissolution of her cabinet.

In his speech, Anutin outlined four pillars for his coalition government: the economy, security, social welfare, and disaster management. On the economic front, he pledged immediate action to reduce household expenses, particularly energy and transportation costs. He also announced plans to implement debt relief programs for farmers and low-income families and to generate local income opportunities.

Electricity Costs a Persistent Concern

Thailand’s high electricity prices remain a major challenge. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) continues to face substantial losses, while the government faces pressure to ease the financial burden on households and attract foreign investment. Electricity tariffs averaged THB 4.18 (approximately USD 0.13) per unit before easing below THB 4 in May.

Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister and father of dismissed leader Paetongtarn, has previously criticized the high electricity rates, arguing that they hinder investment in sectors such as data centers, artificial intelligence, and cloud services. He has advocated reducing tariffs to THB 2.5 (around USD 0.078) per unit to boost competitiveness.

Energy Minister Faces Pressure

Auttapol Rerkpiboon, who led PTT during the pandemic-driven downturn in global oil and gas prices, is expected to face significant pressure to bring stability to Thailand’s energy sector. With 35 years of experience in public relations, marketing, retail, and sustainability, Auttapol helped PTT recover and return to growth during turbulent times.

Political Uncertainty Ahead

Looking forward, Anutin’s government faces considerable political challenges. He has committed to dissolving parliament and calling new elections within four months. Without solid support from coalition partners, Anutin risks being ousted after the polls. Even if he remains in power, the constraints of coalition politics could limit his ability to implement reforms.